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A year later, Sony Online addicted everyone yet again. Expansion packs are expected for popular PC games. They aren’t full blown sequels but provide gamers with new content until the inevitable sequel is released.
True to the nature of the expansion pack, the actual gameplay in Ruins of Kunark isn’t changed very much. Besides the changes, the actual core of the gameplay is still very similar.
There are a couple of major changes in the game. The first is the addition of Kunark, the titular land in this expansion pack. Kunark makes the game environment quite a bit bigger, I’m not sure of the actual number but it is something like a 35% addition. To reach this new area, you’ll take a trip through the seas. The initial areas show several new monsters to attack such as Rhinos and sabretooth tigers; the only catch is that these monsters are very high-leveled, in the Level 20s. If you’re character isn’t very strong, you’ll want to practice a bit more. If you want to save time you can get there through transportation, but the area you end up in is filled with Level 30 or so monsters.
The second most important change is the ability to reach Level 60 with your character, instead of the Level 50 limit of the Classic game. This opens more possibilities and if you play hard enough, you can easily overcome the monsters of Kunark.
The third major change is the addition of a new Lizard race. This race has plenty of professions to choose from such as Warriors and Monks and is great at regeneration and swimming.
Although it doesn’t affect gameplay much, the graphics are much improved over the original game. The game has always had massive environments but they look quite a bit better than they did before. The textures are improved and the overall environment is filled with touches to make it seem more immersive.
The sound part of the game is unchanged.
Fees and such:
EverQuest: Ruins of Kunark can be purchased by itself for $9.99 according to EBGames. The game is included in EverQuest: Trilogy which also includes the first the Classic game and second expansion pack (Scars of Velious) for $17.99 according to EBGames.
EverQuest: Ruins of Kunark is also part of EverQuest Evolution which also includes EQ: Classic, Scars of Velious, Shadows of Luclin, Planes of Power and Legacy of Ykeska for some $29.99.
Macintosh gamers can experience EverQuest: Ruins of Kunark in EverQuest for Mac which retails for $49.99 and includes EQ: Classic, Scars of Velious, Shadows of Luclin, and Planes of Power as well.
You’ll need to pay $12.95 a month. The first month you have your EQ account is free. The 3-month subscription rate is $35.85 ($3 savings) and a 6-month subscription rate is $65.70 ($12 savings). This fee lets you play all EverQuest expansions.
Also, you can subscribe to the Sony Online Entertainment All Access Pass which goes for $21.99 a month. This includes premium SOE content (EverQuest, EverQuest Macintosh Edition, PlanetSide, EverQuest Online Adventures, The Station Pass, and the upcoming EverQuest II).
Conclusion
Overall, the changes aren’t all that staggering but the ability to become even stronger is noteworthy. The new area makes the game seem less crowded and adds quite a bit of size. The new race is welcome, but the graphical changes really help the game stand out.
Minimum Requirements:
Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP; 400Mhz Processor, 256MB RAM, GeForce 1 or Radeon 7200 or equivalent, DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card, 4x CDROM, 28.8kbps internet connection, 2.5GB free hard drive space
Recommended Requirements:
Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP; 400+Mhz Processor, 512 RAM, GeForce 3 or Radeon 8500 or equivalent, DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card, 16x CDROM, 56kbps internet connection, 3.0GB free hard drive space
Review written with help from official EverQuest fanatic, Johnathan Hernandez. -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Sep 22, 2003
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